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The NHL formally locked out its players early Sunday after the collective bargaining agreement between the sides expired.

Malkin, a 26-year-old center with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the NHL's reigning MVP. Gonchar, 38, is a defenseman with the Ottawa Senators.

Although the club provided no further detail of their contracts, it said that they would comply with KHL regulations on signing NHL players during the lockout. Under these rules, KHL teams can sign a maximum of three NHL players above their limit of 25.

The KHL also sets the ceiling for the salaries of NHL players at a maximum of 65 percent of what they earn under their NHL deals. Malkin has two years and $16.5 million remaining on his deal with Pittsburgh. Ottawa's Gonchar has one year and $5.5 million left.